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Repair or Abandon Sirrus A1 Specialized?
#1
I happend across a Sirrus A1 Specialized a few years ago. I work on cars sometimes, but don't know much about bikes. The front section seems to be intact, with functioning brakes and shifters. The middle section also appears to be intact, although new cables will be needed. The rear derailer, however, is missing. I have both wheels and they are intact. Is all I need for this bicycle is a new rear derailer? I just need to get some exercise- I'm not really a biking enthusaist- however my wife is, so I'm trying to build up romantic tension between us by doing things that interest her. Any advice would be appreciated!! Thank you.
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#2
if it what you say it is, then i would fix it up. if you got the bike for free, even better. you can find a suitable 8 speed derailluer on the cheap for around $30 to $40. I would stick an Alivio or up on it myself. and some lock-on style grips, replace the cables and housing and make sure all is inspected and lubed and take it for a test flight. if you have no surprises you can get it going for under $100. but worse case might be $200. It looks to be about a 2007 ish. so in good mechanical shape it would still be worth what you put in to it. even if you had to do a chain, Bottom bracket, rear cluster you can do that for under $100
There are two kinds of people in the world, "Those who help themselves to people, and those who help people!"
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#3
Agreed. A new rear derailleur is inexpensive, $25 gets you something decent. Post a picture of the RD area. How many rear cogs? 7 or 8? More?
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#4
Damn, I really appreciate the quick and informative responses. The rear wheel has 8 sprockets, is installing rear derailleur's a simple procedure? Thank you again- very appreciated!


(09-03-2013, 07:26 PM)1FJEF Wrote:  Agreed. A new rear derailleur is inexpensive, $25 gets you something decent. Post a picture of the RD area. How many rear cogs? 7 or 8? More?
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#5
Hi Bob;

we need a picture of the rear derailleur area of the frame to suggest a rear derailleur for you, and any additional mounting brackets if required. If you are lucky, none will be required.
Nigel
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#6
easy to attach but i recommend tutorials for you since you are new at this. You will need a set of metric allens, a spoke wrench to start with. from the pictures the bike looks very dirty so first thing you need to clean it and the wheels. You need to true the wheels. take the brakes off and polish and lube the posts, make sure the crank is tight, pedals tight, headset free moving but tight, replace the cables and housing, inspect tires for dependability. Figure out a way to hang the bike so you can work on it easier. do not get cleaners in the freewheel or hub areas. water and rags clean well, dried grime on the paint can be removed with rags and WD-40. THATS ALL YOU USE WD FOR! DO NOT LUBRICATE THE BIKE WITH IT.
Check out this for tips on setting pads, proper cable tucking and creating a true stand from your bike
http://forums.bikeride.com/thread-4891.html
take your time and check out various videos here or youtube for the things you will need to do. for now get it cleaned, inspected trued and lubed, then assembled. then fine tuned from there. it will seem tough at first but we can get you thru it all one step at a time. you will need a tool or two along the way
There are two kinds of people in the world, "Those who help themselves to people, and those who help people!"
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#7
(09-03-2013, 09:43 PM)BobdoleHo Wrote:  Damn, I really appreciate the quick and informative responses. The rear wheel has 8 sprockets, is installing rear derailleur's a simple procedure? Thank you again- very appreciated!
8 speed rear, nice.
Check the right shifter too. Grip the bare cable & run the shifter thru the gears, pulling with your fingers slightly to imitate the "pull" of the derailleur. Does the cable move with each shift up & down thru the gears? No big if it doesn't, you just need a clean & lube or a new shifter which is inexpensive too.
Think about signing up for the "Repair Guide" at the top of the page. It's $6/month, cancel anytime, and has everything you need for the repairs mentioned.
After you get the derailleur sorted, It would be a good time to check & service the bearings, I check the wheel & headset first. Once again, inexpensive, easy & useful.
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#8
Thank you guys again so much- yeah, this bicycle was actually in a flood in Chicago . . I think the wheels don't spin as smoothly as they should but I will subsribe to the repair guide and get started. Hopefully this clarifies the rear derailleur attachment area. I put tension on the shifter cables, and everything seems to function normally (meaning the mechanism "clicks")

Bob Dole thanks you!!

(09-03-2013, 11:18 PM)nfmisso Wrote:  Hi Bob;

we need a picture of the rear derailleur area of the frame to suggest a rear derailleur for you, and any additional mounting brackets if required. If you are lucky, none will be required.
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#9
http://www.bikepedia.com/quickbike/BikeSpecs.aspx?year=2002&brand=Specialized&model=Sirrus+A1#.Uiku0T9qzlU here is a bit of info on your bike.

the lack of a hanger for a RD on the drop out is surprising.

This was the original RD according to wikipedia:
http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-Acera-8-Speed-Derailleur-SmartCage/dp/B000F5EGAA/ref=sr_1_3?s=cycling&ie=UTF8&qid=1378430850&sr=1-3

but to mount it, looks like you need something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001PT8M8C/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=DGLVFDGHFPGJ&coliid=I258CQ3EUY3VGJ
but your dropouts look too short; but could just be the angle of the photo.

The alternative is to get a RD like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-RD-TX35-Tourney-Derailleur-Regular/dp/B003ZM9RLI/ref=sr_1_2?s=cycling&ie=UTF8&qid=1378430850&sr=1-2
which is not rated for 8 speed, but those who have tried says it works okay.
Nigel
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#10
you need better pics and you are wrenching my neck Smile
look at the charts that follow. it would be nice to see the back side of the area too and in the proper position, not upside down and sideways. do not know what year Nigel thinks your bike is I am not sure myself due to lack of info. I say 2006 and that would mean Sora rear derailluer. look at the hangers on the charts and try to find the one that would bolt to the available holes
http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/pdf/CG0421_hanger_fit_chart_w_pics_rev2013.pdf
There are two kinds of people in the world, "Those who help themselves to people, and those who help people!"
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#11
could be this but cannot tell from your pics if you have holes threaded or not
http://wheelsmfg.com/derailleur-hanger-12.html
There are two kinds of people in the world, "Those who help themselves to people, and those who help people!"
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#12
(09-05-2013, 09:58 PM)painkiller Wrote:  you need better pics and you are wrenching my neck Smile
look at the charts that follow. it would be nice to see the back side of the area too and in the proper position, not upside down and sideways. do not know what year Nigel thinks your bike is I am not sure myself due to lack of info. I say 2006 and that would mean Sora rear derailluer. look at the hangers on the charts and try to find the one that would bolt to the available holes
http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/pdf/CG0421_hanger_fit_chart_w_pics_rev2013.pdf
Bikepedia says it was 2002 only, and lists the components - see the link in my post above.

And Specialized's archive backs that up:
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/archive/2002/2002sirrus/02sirrusa1#specs

A useful picture: http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzY4WDEwMjQ=/$(KGrHqN,!oMFHjJcZOIJBSB-ezGsi!~~48_79.JPG
Nigel
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